Zoltan Gera: It was my decision to leave Fulham

11 July 2011 03:06

Zoltan Gera admits he rejected the chance to remain at Fulham under new boss Martin Jol after already verbally agreeing to rejoin West Brom.

Midfielder Gera is set to put pen to paper with Albion when he proves his fitness after undergoing ankle surgery on Thursday.

The Hungarian international will sign a two-year contract with the option of another 12 months.

He spent four years at the Hawthorns before moving to Craven Cottage in the summer of 2008.

'There was a chance of me staying at Fulham but I had already made a verbal agreement with West Bromwich Albion,' Gera told origo.hu.

'After I spoke to Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager changed. They wanted me to stay but I didn't want to break my agreement (with West Brom).

'I'm grateful to Fulham for the years I spent there. I've received only good things from them,' he added.

'I felt good and they wanted me to stay.

Once a Baggy. Gera played at the Hawthorns between 2004 and 2008

'It's not true that they told me to go. It was my own decision. I considered it to be the best thing for me.'

Gera is hoping to return to training in a month's time and then he will formally put pen to paper at Albion.

He said: 'I hope I can attend training in one month but I wouldn't like to put a definite time on my recovery.

Road to recovery: Gera had an ankle operation

'I needed this operation so I would not have any more problems with my ankle in the future.

'I'm very grateful to West Brom for helping me. I'm happy that they made it public that we're close to agreeing a deal.

'I'd love to sign my contract at West Brom and I think they want me too. I hope that everything will be cleared up in the near future.

'If everything goes well I plan to sign a two-year contract with the option to extend it by a year.'

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